QATAR AIRWAYS APPOINTS DAVID EDWARDS TO LEAD QATAR EXECUTIVE

Roberto Hlaca Joins as Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Strategy

Captain Peter Resting Appointed Vice President, Flight Operations

19 Nov 2013

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has appointed David Edwards as Executive Vice President to lead the growing business of its corporate jet arm, Qatar Executive.

Announcing the appointment during the Dubai Air Show, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “David brings to Qatar Executive a wealth of experience in the business aviation industry and will be instrumental in steering its operations to a new level”.

David Edwards

Edwards will be responsible for guiding all strategic, commercial and operational aspects of the airline’s private jet division. Launched in 2009, today Qatar Executive operates a fleet of seven wholly-owned Bombardier aircraft of which a brand-new Global 5000 Vision was delivered as recently as October.

In his new role, Edwards will focus on strengthening Qatar Executive’s footprint in the operator’s existing key markets such as the Middle East and the booming countries like Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), but also forge ahead with establishing the company’s presence in the rapidly emerging markets of Africa and Asia.

"My aim is to expand Qatar Executive’s successful product portfolio which includes, apart from its core business aircraft charters, aircraft management, large airliner charter, maintenance and a full range of FBO services at Doha International Airport,” said Edwards. “I am delighted to be joining Qatar Executive at this exciting time, and look forward to growing the business and the services we are able to offer our clients”.

A veteran of the business aviation industry, Edwards brings with him more than 16 years of experience in aviation management and extensive industry knowledge accumulated from his previous roles with leading business jet charter companies in the UK and the United Arab Emirates, where he held senior management positions.

Prior to joining Qatar Executive Edwards was Managing Director, Middle East and Asia for Gama Aviation. Edwards, who holds a private pilot license will be based in Doha, home to Qatar Executive and its parent company Qatar Airways.

Qatar Executive has been further boosted by the appointment of Roberto Hlaca as Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Strategy and Captain Peter Resting as Vice President, Flight Operations. Both come to their new positions with a proven and very successful track record.

Roberto Hlaca

Captain Peter Resting

Prior to his new role at Qatar Executive, Hlaca was Vice President, On Demand Sales at Vistajet and responsible for spearheading the company’s commercial growth. Earlier tenures in his international career included senior corporate travel and marketing-related positions at American Express, BTI UK and entertainment giant Sony. In his new role, Hlaca will re-shape Qatar Executive’s sales and marketing strategies by launching new business initiatives and developing new growth markets to meet the company’s set targets.

Resting’s background includes Director of Flight Operations for Execujet Europe, where under his leadership the fleet grew from three to twelve aircraft under Execujet’s Scandinavian Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC). In his new role Resting’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safe operation of Qatar Executive’s aircraft. This also includes scheduling and recruiting of Flight Deck Crew to ensure that all regulatory requirements are met and that high-quality operations are executed in a safe, efficient and customer-friendly manner. Before starting his career in aviation Resting, a pilot himself for 23 years, worked at the Danish police force where he held senior positions.

For further information and bookings, the professional Qatar Executive service team is available 24/7 on +974 4445 3800 or request@qatarexec.com.qa.

Qatar Airways first announced at the Paris Air Show in 2009 the formation of a corporate jet subsidiary – Qatar Executive – as part of the airline’s ongoing robust global growth strategy, and continued commitment to the Middle East and global business travel community. Headquartered at Doha International Airport, luxury jet services are available for charter to Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Australia and the Middle East. In November 2012, Qatar Executive was honoured with the Best Business Aviation Operator of the Year 2012 award by the prestigious Middle East industry publication Aviation Business.

About Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, France in June. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class, World’s Best Business Class Lounge and, for the second consecutive year, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East.

The airline has also been named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport named Best Premium Service Airport for the third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways has also twice been the recipient of the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year Award in 2011 and 2012. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry.

Qatar Airways currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 family of aircraft. On 30 October 2013, Qatar Airways will join the oneworld global alliance. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.